Lawmakers Approve Four Extra Calamity Days

A compromise to give Ohio schools four extra calamity days is headed to Gov. John Kasich's desk for his expected signature.

Passage of the agreement by the House and Senate Wednesday came as snow fell outside the Statehouse.

Snow, ice and bone-chilling temperatures have led many districts across Ohio to exhaust the school year's five allowable calamity days, in which schools can close without making up the lost instructional time.

The measure would let districts use the additional calamity days only after holding school on four other scheduled days off, such as holidays or during vacations.

Districts could continue to make up missed days through 30-minute increments tacked onto regularly scheduled school days. They also would have the option of using work-at-home "blizzard bags" and online lessons.